Tobacco Fees and Charges for Mandatory Inspection; Fee Increase

The Tobacco Inspection Act requires the Secretary to fix and collect fees and charges for inspection and certification, and other services, including administrative and supervisory costs, at designated tobacco auction markets in all tobacco producing areas. The fees collected must, as nearly as possible, cover the Department's costs of performing these services and also maintain a reserve sufficient to cover program financial liabilities. This interim final rule will increase the fee from $.0083 to $.0100 per pound to cover the increased cost of operating the tobacco inspection program and maintain the operating reserve. The last increase in the fee was in 1995. This increase does not affect the fees for import, export, or permissive tobacco inspection.